Funeral Service for Betty Jo Kirk, Hindutawin "Red Owl Women", will be on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 11:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, South Dakota. Officiating will be John Cloud III. Drum Group will be Tracii Barse. Pall Bearers will be Justin German, Troy Barse, Dustin Kirk, Floyd Kirk, Keegan Huff, David Ojeda, Wayne German Jr., James Shindelbower, Robbie Keoke, Robert John Keoke, Donald Friemel, Michael Wakeman, Tavaughn Thongvanh, and Evan Wilson. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Sheralynn Marks, John German, Antionette LaCroix, Shirley McConnell, Diane Renville, Delphine Wanna, Geraldine Locke, Annie Wakeman, Beverly Bursheim, Tammy Renville Friemel, Romy Shindelbower Brenda Solberg, Rita Finley, Bernie Redday, Jake Demarrias, Davontay Thongvanh, and the Hospice Nurses Jesse & Tammy. Interment will be at St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery, Agency Village, South Dakota. Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jo Kirk was born to Percy Kirk Sr. and Marcellaine Renville on September 6, 1940, in Sisseton, South Dakota. She worked at SDSU in Brookings, SD as an advisor/counselor from 1972-1974. Betty then worked at the South Dakota Indian Education Association in Pierre, SD, as an executive director from January of 1977 till November of 1978. Immediately after, she worked at Cheyenne River Swift Bird Project in Gettysburg, SD as the Deputy Director of Programs until December of 1979. In January of 1979, Betty became the Nutrition Program Director on the Rapid City Indian Service Council in Rapid City, SD and worked there till March of 1980. Upon leaving that position, she worked at Dear Abby in Beverly Hills, CA as a secretary from 1980-1982. In October 1988, she was the Judicial Committee Secretary until May of 1991. She then worked at the SWO Planning Office as the Program Grants Coordinator for 3 years. Her next position was as the Head Start Director from June of 1994 till 2005. Betty then became an Assistant Supervisor in the Marketing Department at the Dakota Magic Casino during the years 2007-2014. Her last place of employment was at the Tribal Elderly Program as a Program Manager from April 14, 2014, to August 16, 2019, receiving a 5yr LOS on June 10, 2019. Betty had also served on the Tribal Council for 1.5 years.

Betty is survived by her children Carol Friemel, Linda Friemel, Donald Friemel, Terry Friemel, and Raelynn Kirk; sisters Margaret Bourelle, Eleanor Kirk, and Sandra Redday; grandchildren Gwen Clifford-DuMarce, Melinda Emery, Terri Friemel-Thongvanh, and Tara Friemel; 15 great-grandchildren; great-great grandchild Leon Gutierrez-Thongvanh; uncles Charlie (JoAnn) Renville and Harvey (Mona) Renville, and daughter-in-law Tammy Friemel.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Percy Kirk Sr. and Marcellaine Renville; brothers Cornelius Kirk, Floyd Kirk Sr., Percy Kirk Jr., Jeffery Helenberger; sisters Joyce Thompson, Francis Huff, Barbara Kirk-Renville, Connie Brennon, Ina Lou Kirk; and sons Michael Friemel, and Bobby Friemel.